2005 Elite Eight - Illini vs. Arizona on BTN Jan 13

geno13 · Dec 17, 2008, 08:09 PM

I rember sitting on the floor in front of the TV almost in tears saying I can't belive there going to loose,my 7yr old son gets on my lap and tells me its not over they can still do it.To this day he still says I was in tears.

*SaintLouisIllini* · Dec 17, 2008, 10:03 PM

I was sitting in Nick's bar in St. Louis with 3 Mizzou friends when the Illini went down by 15. I was convinced it was over, and I remember they were all giving me hell because I looked like I was going to cry in my beer (just as they did when Frank Williams missed the 14 footer from the baseline in the '02 Sweet 16 game vs. Kansas).

Unfortunately Nick's bar turned the TV sound off that night and had the jukebox playing over the speakers. And I'll never forget this - right at that 4 minute mark, the jukebox started to play Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." As any Metallica fan knows, the music clangs an ominous and dramatic church bell to usher in the beginning of the song, followed by a super heavy guitar riff. At that point, the team began they're comeback.

So Darren, Luther and Dee start stealing the ball and draining 3's from all over the court, and I'm the only one in the packed bar with an orange shirt jumping up and down and yelling. All this with random Metallica songs playing over the speakers. It was very surreal.

I didn't get to watch the game with the full sound and excitement of the Chicago arena crowd until months later.

Edit: I almost just cried watching the youtube replay. I'm a sap.

NxtLvelIllini7 · Dec 17, 2008, 10:06 PM

This is on my birthday

What a great present from BTN

*danielb927* · Dec 17, 2008, 11:42 PM

I remember the game, although I guess I was only like 14 at the time. I was watching at my aunt and uncle's house in Florida (on spring break), we had been to the ESPN zone at disney to watch the sweet 16 game before that (vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and were pumped up for this one. I was drinking Orange Crush (orange soda) out of glass bottles we had found who knows where, but the mood was pretty somber when they went up by 15. Then the comeback happened, probably the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen, although I was too young to ever have given up hope during that game, I always knew (with that 14-year-old optimism we could all use more of) that we would pull it out in the end.

Great night, glad I watched the whole thing, I had a friend about my age who was there at Allstate arena but his family left before the comeback. I guess he must have been to young, if that happened to me now I'm not sure I'd ever be able to live with myself.

*Ress* · Dec 18, 2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uiba99

It sure is! I posted the Riverbottom Nightmare Band on my blog - can't find any good videos of any other part of the special...LOVED that movie as a kid!

http://reasonableprogressive.blogspo...stmas-gem.html

Your blog has some funny stuff, well done.

*IlliniSteve* · Jan 10, 2009, 03:10 PM

Bump....

This Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central time, BTN. Just DVR'd it.

CrazedUIFan · Jan 10, 2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniSteve

Bump....

This Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central time, BTN. Just DVR'd it.

Cosign. I am thrilled I will get an opportunity to have this game.

*danielb927* · Jan 10, 2009, 11:33 PM

DVR'ed! Can't wait.

*blafka* · Jan 13, 2009, 07:47 PM

It's like watching it for the first time. I was at brixies, my favorite bar with a bunch of my friends from U of I. We got the entire place chanting ILL-INI. I have never seen a place so crazy. Best game I've ever seen.

Funny even, Andy and I keep high fiving one another...like we don't know what happens

wpr · Jan 13, 2009, 08:16 PM

Loved it then. (The final 4 minutes and OT) Love it now.
I was thinking that the steals late in the 2nd half came from Dee or Deron. I was stunned when I watched the game and saw that it was actually Head that got 3 of them.
I also thought that there were a lot of fouls made by IL that were not called that allowed them to get back into the game. The refs were calling plenty of them in the final 6 minutes.

wpr · Jan 13, 2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

What a game.. everyone remember we had the lead at halftime?

Like U of I 89-05-10 said, it wasn't just the 15-point deficit with 4 minutes to go that made the comeback special. The score was 77-68 with 1:30 to go. 9 points in 90 seconds is tough to overcome in the college game.

(9 points was also the deficit Kansas had to overcome against Memphis in the 2008 NC game, with 2:12 to go. Memphis helped out by going 1-5 in FTs down the stretch.)

Unlike Memphis, Arizona hit their FTs, going 5-6 during the comeback.

The Illini went on their crazy run fueled by creating turnovers. After the 1:30 mark, Illinois scored 12 points in 50 seconds to tie the game. Absolutely ridiculous.

Besides the comeback, you should check out the entire game, the whole thing was a thing of beauty

http://www.illinoisloyalty.com/GoIll...llinois_vs_ari

Great illustration Dan.

*blafka* · Jan 13, 2009, 08:26 PM

love that. the big three.

canis216 · Jan 13, 2009, 10:46 PM

I was cheering watching the replay. And anticipating the moments as they came up. Luther was so gutsy, making all those huge defensive plays with the bum groin. The block on Salim Stoudamire was so clutch--I remember being terrified of him the whole game, 'specially after he pulled up from 30 feet with nothing but net. What's remarkable about the comeback is that Arizona did so much right (even taking a lead in overtime, when a lesser team would have folded) and we still won. Our guys just made a series of huge, huge, plays.

BananaShampoo · Jan 13, 2009, 11:35 PM

Oh man it gives me goosebumps and chills to watch that game again. That team had heart. Tons of it.

Illini25 · Jan 14, 2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fightingillini fan 4-ever

ah, the young ones dont know but the older ones havent forgotten...GO ILLINI my good friend.

Im still getting PM's regarding the DVD, LOL. Even though I don't have it on my current pc any more due to a reformat. Just been too lazy to burn it back to the pc.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Jan 14, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini25

Im still getting PM's regarding the DVD, LOL. Even though I don't have it on my current pc any more due to a reformat. Just been too lazy to burn it back to the pc.

ah 25. Glad too see your smiling face again. Thought we lost you. I think Nut is gone and never to be found. I sent him a X-Mas card and still havent heard from him. You guys, Bonick and Someday son did more than your fair share. What a great gift and what a display of loyalty and love for our Illini. Makes me proud. GO ILLINI!!!

Illini25 · Jan 14, 2009, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fightingillini fan 4-ever

ah 25. Glad too see your smiling face again. Thought we lost you. I think Nut is gone and never to be found. I sent him a X-Mas card and still havent heard from him. You guys, Bonick and Someday son did more than your fair share. What a great gift and what a display of loyalty and love for our Illini. Makes me proud. GO ILLINI!!!

Thanks 4-ever.

Been out in KC the past year and just got back to central IL. (Charleston, IL as of now.) So I should be getting back to catch some games this season. Im still bumbed that I missed the reunion weekend in September, lol.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Jan 14, 2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illini25

Thanks 4-ever.

Been out in KC the past year and just got back to central IL. (Charleston, IL as of now.) So I should be getting back to catch some games this season. Im still bumbed that I missed the reunion weekend in September, lol.

What do you think? Do we win tonight or not? Im an optimist. I say we do. Plus , I really dont think Mich is that good.

Go Illini!!!

thegoodkid007 · Jan 14, 2009, 11:55 PM

I have been wanting to see this game again. I remember working at Comcast and everybody was on the Illini bandwagon. I was on lunch watching it in the break room and had to go back to work when they were down like 15. Everybody was like they choked, me being one of them. I log into the phones to take a call and this lady was taking forever to decide on her package and then she asked a question that I knew the answer but I still put her on hold just to check out the game real quick. Went back to the break room and watch the most exciting comebacks I ever saw. I got in trouble but it was well worth it.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Jan 15, 2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegoodkid007

I was on lunch watching it in the break room and had to go back to work when they were down like 15. Everybody was like they choked, me being one of them. I log into the phones to take a call and this lady was taking forever to decide on her package and then she asked a question that I knew the answer but I still put her on hold just to check out the game real quick. Went back to the break room and watch the most exciting comebacks I ever saw. I got in trouble but it was well worth it.

That is awesome......Go Illini!!!!

*davidlee930* · Jan 15, 2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlliniRunIn07

Don't worry. I'm sure some guys cried too! One of my favorite videos from this game...

Man this video is awesome. The game brings back so many memories. I was watching the game at my friend's house, it was just the most ridiculous game ever. D-Will was just too crazy. TOOOOO crazy. And for me to ever doubt his potential in the nba. I am such a fail.

fightingillini fan 4-ever · Jan 15, 2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidlee930

Man this video is awesome. The game brings back so many memories. I was watching the game at my friend's house, it was just the most ridiculous game ever. D-Will was just too crazy. TOOOOO crazy. And for me to ever doubt his potential in the nba. I am such a fail.

Amazing!!!! I will never forget "Illinois is going to the final four, Illinois is going to the final four".

I know everyone remembers Deron's contributions but pay close attention and watch what Luther did. He was always the unsung hero and quiet leader. Watch when the run starts, Deron starts it and then it was back and forth between him and Luther, then luther gets a steal, goes back and forth between Deron and luther, Dee gets a layup, Jack knocks the ball away sets a screen and the ball is passed to Deron and he hits a three. It was a team effort.

Arrogance really cost Arizona. Stoudamire and Frye and the Arizona bench celebrated too early. That game will always stand out in their mind.

It was truely amazing..GO ILLINI!!!!!

BananaShampoo · Jan 15, 2009, 09:26 AM

I was watching the game at my in-laws house only about 2 miles away from Allstate Arena. When the Illini were down by about 13 points my wife decided to go to the bathroom since she didn't want to see the end of the game anyway. As soon as she left the comeback started. When she came back in the room I made her go back into the bathroom (after all, there must have been something to it, right?), which is where she stayed through Deron's game tying shot and through all of overtime. I kept yelling game updates to her while she was in the bathroom. I felt bad about it but I tease her now that her magical bowels sparked that great Illini comeback!

HeartofaChampion · Jan 15, 2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaShampoo

I was watching the game at my in-laws house only about 2 miles away from Allstate Arena. When the Illini were down by about 13 points my wife decided to go to the bathroom since she didn't want to see the end of the game anyway. As soon as she left the comeback started. When she came back in the room I made her go back into the bathroom (after all, there must have been something to it, right?), which is where she stayed through Deron's game tying shot and through all of overtime. I kept yelling game updates to her while she was in the bathroom. I felt bad about it but I tease her now that her magical bowels sparked that great Illini comeback!

POTD, Shampoo. That's the sign of a true UI fan.

BrooksTaylorFan · Jan 15, 2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BananaShampoo

I was watching the game at my in-laws house only about 2 miles away from Allstate Arena. When the Illini were down by about 13 points my wife decided to go to the bathroom since she didn't want to see the end of the game anyway. As soon as she left the comeback started. When she came back in the room I made her go back into the bathroom (after all, there must have been something to it, right?), which is where she stayed through Deron's game tying shot and through all of overtime. I kept yelling game updates to her while she was in the bathroom. I felt bad about it but I tease her now that her magical bowels sparked that great Illini comeback!

Here's hoping she gets the runs on Saturday, about 4:30. haha

Dec 17, 2008, 10:03 PM	#27
SaintLouisIllini Location: Univ of Florida Posts: 814	I was sitting in Nick's bar in St. Louis with 3 Mizzou friends when the Illini went down by 15. I was convinced it was over, and I remember they were all giving me hell because I looked like I was going to cry in my beer (just as they did when Frank Williams missed the 14 footer from the baseline in the '02 Sweet 16 game vs. Kansas). Unfortunately Nick's bar turned the TV sound off that night and had the jukebox playing over the speakers. And I'll never forget this - right at that 4 minute mark, the jukebox started to play Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls." As any Metallica fan knows, the music clangs an ominous and dramatic church bell to usher in the beginning of the song, followed by a super heavy guitar riff. At that point, the team began they're comeback. So Darren, Luther and Dee start stealing the ball and draining 3's from all over the court, and I'm the only one in the packed bar with an orange shirt jumping up and down and yelling. All this with random Metallica songs playing over the speakers. It was very surreal. I didn't get to watch the game with the full sound and excitement of the Chicago arena crowd until months later. Edit: I almost just cried watching the youtube replay. I'm a sap. Last edited by SaintLouisIllini; Dec 17, 2008 at 10:18 PM.

Dec 17, 2008, 10:06 PM	#28
NxtLvelIllini7 Location: C-U, IL Posts: 893	This is on my birthday What a great present from BTN __________________

Jan 13, 2009, 11:35 PM	#39
BananaShampoo Captain 'Paign Location: Urbana, IL Posts: 7,288	Oh man it gives me goosebumps and chills to watch that game again. That team had heart. Tons of it. __________________ C-U/UIUC Historian and Lover of all Things Illini

Jan 15, 2009, 09:26 AM	#48
BananaShampoo Captain 'Paign Location: Urbana, IL Posts: 7,288	I was watching the game at my in-laws house only about 2 miles away from Allstate Arena. When the Illini were down by about 13 points my wife decided to go to the bathroom since she didn't want to see the end of the game anyway. As soon as she left the comeback started. When she came back in the room I made her go back into the bathroom (after all, there must have been something to it, right?), which is where she stayed through Deron's game tying shot and through all of overtime. I kept yelling game updates to her while she was in the bathroom. I felt bad about it but I tease her now that her magical bowels sparked that great Illini comeback! __________________ C-U/UIUC Historian and Lover of all Things Illini

Dec 17, 2008, 08:09 PM	#26
geno13 Orange & Blue in Missouri Location: Warrenton Mo Posts: 85	I rember sitting on the floor in front of the TV almost in tears saying I can't belive there going to loose,my 7yr old son gets on my lap and tells me its not over they can still do it.To this day he still says I was in tears.

Dec 17, 2008, 11:42 PM	#29
danielb927 Overall Hoss of 116 and Krush Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,775	I remember the game, although I guess I was only like 14 at the time. I was watching at my aunt and uncle's house in Florida (on spring break), we had been to the ESPN zone at disney to watch the sweet 16 game before that (vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and were pumped up for this one. I was drinking Orange Crush (orange soda) out of glass bottles we had found who knows where, but the mood was pretty somber when they went up by 15. Then the comeback happened, probably the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen, although I was too young to ever have given up hope during that game, I always knew (with that 14-year-old optimism we could all use more of) that we would pull it out in the end. Great night, glad I watched the whole thing, I had a friend about my age who was there at Allstate arena but his family left before the comeback. I guess he must have been to young, if that happened to me now I'm not sure I'd ever be able to live with myself.

Jan 10, 2009, 03:10 PM	#31
IlliniSteve Location: Edwardsville, IL Posts: 4,381	Bump.... This Tuesday at 6 p.m. Central time, BTN. Just DVR'd it.

Jan 10, 2009, 11:33 PM	#33
danielb927 Overall Hoss of 116 and Krush Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 1,775	DVR'ed! Can't wait.

Jan 13, 2009, 07:47 PM	#34
blafka Posts: 1,311	It's like watching it for the first time. I was at brixies, my favorite bar with a bunch of my friends from U of I. We got the entire place chanting ILL-INI. I have never seen a place so crazy. Best game I've ever seen. Funny even, Andy and I keep high fiving one another...like we don't know what happens

Jan 13, 2009, 08:16 PM	#35
wpr Location: Northern frontier of Illini Country Posts: 1,985	Loved it then. (The final 4 minutes and OT) Love it now. I was thinking that the steals late in the 2nd half came from Dee or Deron. I was stunned when I watched the game and saw that it was actually Head that got 3 of them. I also thought that there were a lot of fouls made by IL that were not called that allowed them to get back into the game. The refs were calling plenty of them in the final 6 minutes.

Jan 13, 2009, 08:26 PM	#37
blafka Posts: 1,311	love that. the big three.

Jan 13, 2009, 10:46 PM	#38
canis216 Location: Montana Posts: 315	I was cheering watching the replay. And anticipating the moments as they came up. Luther was so gutsy, making all those huge defensive plays with the bum groin. The block on Salim Stoudamire was so clutch--I remember being terrified of him the whole game, 'specially after he pulled up from 30 feet with nothing but net. What's remarkable about the comeback is that Arizona did so much right (even taking a lead in overtime, when a lesser team would have folded) and we still won. Our guys just made a series of huge, huge, plays.

Jan 14, 2009, 11:55 PM	#44
thegoodkid007 Posts: 3	I have been wanting to see this game again. I remember working at Comcast and everybody was on the Illini bandwagon. I was on lunch watching it in the break room and had to go back to work when they were down like 15. Everybody was like they choked, me being one of them. I log into the phones to take a call and this lady was taking forever to decide on her package and then she asked a question that I knew the answer but I still put her on hold just to check out the game real quick. Went back to the break room and watch the most exciting comebacks I ever saw. I got in trouble but it was well worth it.